Letter to the Editor

Naved Ahmad

He is my hope
in despair he is my prayers; he is my strength in trials and tribulations. He
is an ideology; He is truth and justice embodied. He is an answer to every
tyranny and atrocity of the world. He is neither for Shia nor for Sunnis and obviously
not for Muslims. Let humanity awaken, and every tribe will claim him as their
own. Hussein is for humanity....

Syed N Asad MD, New Age Islam

Post Paris terror attack has generated a
new venue for politicians, a sensitive and troubling topic for conversation
among families, neighbours and friends. Last evening while out to dinner with
another couple the discussion after some initial pleasantries soon shifted to
ISIS and Islamophobia. We raised the question, what can we do to reduce fear
mongering, hatred and discrimination so blatantly gushed by the republican
candidates: Donald Trump: Suggested closing American mosques and forcing Muslim
Americans to register in a national database.

Amy E.

So, thank you
for the site. It is interesting to hear
the dialogues. It occurs to me in
reading much, that the KISS principle, Keep It Simple Stupid has been lost, as
God is fairly easy to understand; has been replaced with the discourse of who's
rule and regulations are from God. This
creates a bit of humour for me, though also much sadness. As the God that I now know, is so incredibly
layered and multi-cultural, that God is to Big to be confined to any one velum
book….

Victor Edwin SJ, New Age Islam

Victor Edwin SJ, New Age Islam

Christians are monotheists. They affirm without ambiguity that worship is due to God alone. In his or her worship of God, a Christian adores the one living God. This worship includes three principal acts: namely adoration (or the recognition of God's infinite perfection), prayer or the asking for divine help, and sacrifice or the offering of something precious to God.....

Athar Azimabadi's comment in New Age Islam

Our "rational" pundits simply
cannot go beyond thinking in instrumental terms. Despite the hopelessness of
its situation, Hamas's rocket fire can have a multitude of reasons other than
wanting to provoke an Israeli assault. Very simply, it could be the deep-seated
human desire to fight for freedom -- a desire that is and has been common to
all of humanity.

Afaq Danish for New Age Islam

Afaq Danish

The All India Rapists Welfare Association wishes to submit the following facts in support of their claims for getting legal immunity against their conduct:1. Rape and murder should not be equated as unwanted conduct.

2. Rape should be treated as a form of "entertainment" for politically robust and sexually alive pubic leaders.

Malik Atif Mahmood Majoka

I am to write with very heavy heart over the killing of a girl in Afghanistan merely on refusal of marriage proposal. The place of incident is north east of Afghanistan which has been under the tight control of Taliban regime and now apparently under the rule of so called Karzai government….

By Alveehabib Habib

As tragic as these events are, this is a time to speak with our children about hate, racism, and how the media many times fuels it. This guy (or group) was a White supremacist and we must let our children know the similarity of this false pride and I bless' pride against our father Adam. It is very possible that this Army veteran thought that Sikhs were Muslims. Many people confuse the two as has been evident after Sikhs have been repeatedly attacked after 9/11…

For a person of low knowledge it is nearly impossible to understand any scholarly study. It is only that one can try and understand something if one is aware of the characteristics of a particular thing. It is right to call ‘the creator of the sky and the earth’ as per one’s own understanding. Look into any period of history, one thing, the invisible power, will always be there. – Iqbal Shaikh, A reader of NewAgeIslam.com

To celebrate the Prophet’s birthday is to celebrate Islam, because the Prophet is the symbol of Islam. If Miladunnabi celebration is called Shirk (deviation) and bidah (innovation, another name for deviation in Wahhabi Islam), nobody on this planet will remain Muslim, not even Salafis and Deobandis. Zakir Naik's guru Ahmed Deedat himself used to celebrate it. Even Ibn Taimiya, the Grand-Shaykh of the modern Kharjism, has certified Miladunnabi celebration to be good act [ Ref : Majma` Fatawa Ibn Taymiyya, Vol. 23, p. 163 and his Iqtida’ al-sirat al-mustaqim, p. 294-295] . Salafi icons like Nawab Siddique Hasan Khan Bhupali, Shaykh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi all admitted that it's commendable act. Shaykh Yusuf Al-Qaradawideclares : "Actually, celebrating the Prophet's birthday means celebrating the birth of Islam..." Salafis call these scholars "Shaykhul Islam". If imams of Salafis are shirk-doer and bidati , let them decide what is their own status !!!!!!!!! أن إبليس رن أربع رنات حين لعن وحين أهبط وحين ولد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وحين أنزلت الفاتحة Iblis cried loudly four times, first when Allah declared him as cursed, second when he was thrown out, Third When Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam) was born and fourth when Surah Fatiha was revealed [Ibn Kathir in Al Bidayah wan Nihayah, Volume 2, Page No. 166]—An Anonymous Reader of NewAgeIslam.com

After reading the articles you post on your web site I felt " Secrets of Hypocrites " from this book by Harun Yahya will be really enlightening to all those who visit your website, and will strengthen you in your task and mission of presenting the " New Age Islam " to Muslims. May Allah bless you for your sincerity and the strength of your Imaan.

In a country where most people cannot complete a sentence without invoking God’s name. In a country where one cannot carry out an intellectual discourse on religion and philosophy without being accused of committing blasphemy. In a country where without any authorization from its government an individual can carry out the death sentence of a blasphemer with full public support. An appearance of a site like e-paa.org was unthinkable. I believe, and I hope, this site serves as an open forum like the New Age Islam does, by addressing issues that relate to the Muslim community where some may want to associate themselves with Islamic culture rather than the religion of Islam. -- Syed Rizvi

I want to congratulate you on an excellent and highly diverse website. Really one of the best providing much-needed and refreshing perspectives, particularly for those of us who are not Muslim. We have posted it in our new Essential Field Guide to Afghanistan site www.essentialfieldguides.com if you twitter or Facebook us (either my personal Facebook "edgirardet" or Twitter 'edgirardet') or "essential field guides" then any highlighted article will automatically go on our Essential Field Guide Daily paper.li site and link straight to your site. -- Edward Girardet, Writer and Journalist. Author of Afghanistan - The Soviet War (1985) Republished by Routledge (UK) in July, 2011. Director, Institute for Media and Global Governance, Geneva, Switzerland

I have read three articles carried by New Age Islam, pertaining to Maulana Vastanvi and Darul Ulum, Deoband. Please carry my views on the said subject on your site.

Maulana Vastanvi is an eminent Maulana cum educationist. He has a vast educational network, which is admirable. The national controversy arose following his appointment as a Vice Chancellor at Deoband. The original interview he gave to Times of India, called on Muslims to forget and move away from the 2002 riots, and take advantage of the development process in Gujarat. In particular he mentioned that there is no discrimination against Muslims in Modi's Gujarat. This statement was totally wrong on facts and could cause great damage to Muslims, particularly in Gujarat. …

I am conscious that rich and ambitious Muslims are desperate that we should close the chapter on the tragedy of 2002, and welcome Modi. But can we give up without justice and without a word of remorse and sorrow for what happened to thousands of our women and the poor .Rather I am convinced that there is no other way to prevent future communal killings of Muslims, then to punish the murderers of 2002. Once Amit Shah and Vanzara are sentenced to life imprisonment, no future Home Minister or senior police officer will ever connive in killing Muslims. At one time we thought political parties will protect us. That has been a mirage. Lalu Prasad and the CPM prevented riots in Bihar and West Bengal, but they did nothing to improve the socio economic state of our community. The less said about the Congress the better, for in 2002 they played the B team of the BJP.

Finally there is a deliberate attempt to confuse the issues, by projecting the Vastanvi affair as a fight among the ulemas of Deoband. The objective has been to move the focus away from the original pro Modi remarks of Vastanvi. Sadly the national media has played its role in blurring the links between Vastanvi and Modi. Needless to say I condemn this effort. The victims of 2002 deserve better.

I must congratulate you and Shri Yogi Sikand for highlighting the thoughts of Syed Ali Shah Geelani. The Kashmir leader could cause a huge crisis for the Muslims of India. I am surprised that Arundhatti Roy has failed to see the consequences if Geelani succeeds in his dream of seperating Kashmir from India, and merging it with Pakistan. Syed Geelani does not beleive in secularism and pluralism. But do the Muslims of India have a choice ? A lot of water has flowed down the Jhelum since Nehru promised plebiscite to the people of Kashmir. Tragically all these 63 years India has failed to win over the hearts and minds of the people of Kashmir. Today a huge military presence is essential for keeping Kashmir within India. Further Kashmir is a major road block in India's emergence as a world power, in particular the acceptance by Muslim countries. -- J.S. Bandukwala

Salaam. Forgive the intrusion. I am writing to seek your help and involvement. On October the 20th 2010 — a few days ago — the United Nations General Assembly unanimously established the World Interfaith Harmony Week. The resolution was first proposed by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan on September 23rd 2010, and I myself had the honour of introducing and explaining it at the UN. -- Ghazi

Dear all, This is to bring to your notice this incidence of harassment of our country's intelligence mafia. I'm a humble rights activist while my husband, Sirmed Manzoor, is Chief Coordinator SAFMA Pakistan. The details of the incidence can be seen here. Your comments and solidarity would mean so much to us. http://marvisirmed.com/?p=1273

Statement from South Asian Media Commission: LAHORE: The South Asia Media Commission (SAMC) is shocked to learn of a “robbery” at the house of Sirmed Manzoor, a senior journalist and chief coordinator of South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA)....

Dr. Naseem Ahmed

Dear Mr. Sultan Shahin,Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa arakatahu, After reading the articles you post on your web site I felt " Secrets of Hypocrites " from this book by Harun Yahya will be really enlightening all those who visit your website, and will strengthen you in your task and mission of presenting the " New Age Islam " to Muslims. May Allah bless you for your sincerity and the strength of your Imaan. Jazalallah KhairDr. Naseem Ahmed ---Harun Yahya – Secrets of the HypocritesSeptember 17, 2009 They Mock the BelieversAnother of the actions they engage in is mockery. The inferiority complex and tension that hypocrites suffer because of the strength of believers emerges by means of mockery. Taking advantage of believers’ good intentions, they disparage them and seek to belittle them in others’ esteem, as a result of their unconquerable anger. Allah informs us of this in their own words: . . . But then when they go apart with their satans, they say, “We are really with you. We were only mocking.” Al-Baqara: 14

The first revelation of ' Iqra bismi Rabbikallazi khalaq', left the Prophet in a feverish state, with deep fear. It was Hazrat Khadija who gave Him strength at that crucial stage, by reposing faith in Him, becoming the first to recite the kalma, and the first to offer namaz behind Him. She braved the onslaught of the Meccan oligarchy, sacrificing all her wealth to support the small Muslim community. When she passed away her wealth was gone. Further the Prophet lost that one vital support within Meccan society. Combined with the death of His uncle Abu Talib, the Prophet realised that migration to Medina was the only option. That was Hizrat, and the beginning of the Islamic calendar. As long as she lived the Prophet never had another wife. After her death, any reference to her name , would make Him pensive and at times tearful. – J. S. Bandukwala

Irfan Ahmad, MSc, MBA, Maharashtra

Mr. Sultan Shahin,

If you are a Muslim, then Assalamu Alaikum,

I am double Post graduate of Science and MBA from Maharashtra. Recently I read about you and your website in a local newspaper. I am ashamed about myself that I visited your website. It’s very sad that to please someone you say that some verses of Quran were meant only for the time of the Prophet and are not meant for today (May Allah forgive me). Are you real Muslim or some anti-Muslim forces are supporting you to misguide others?

You also please non-Muslims by saying that these people will also enter into Allah's Heaven. Here only I came to know your level.

Please shut down your web site and join any madrasa to learn Islam.

And keep Beard on your face if you are Muslim, because it is Practice (Sunnat) of my Prophet Muhammad Swallallahu alaihi wa sallam.

Please Do Not Misguide Real Muslims by your dirty Website.................

Your beautiful website was recommended by a friend suggesting that it might be able to provide some ideas to me with a view to helping Hindu fundamentalists of India also reform themselves, so that the combined efforts of liberal Muslims, liberal Hindus and others might be able to bring lasting peace in South Asia, which appears to have been deliberately disturbed by a common strategy of the mischievous leaders of two great religions.

Well-meaning and sound research

I have hurriedly glanced through your site and instantly liked it as a wonderful piece of well-meaning and sound research in which many objective researchers have made their valuable contribution.

I heartily congratulate you and all your associates for their very timely effort aimed at reforming Islam so that it may help ease the tension caused by strained relations between India and Pakistan.

I believe that reform on intended lines only in Islam are not going to be enough in the matter of the achievement of the laudable objective and that the other party to the strife in the region, namely, Hinduism ought also to reform itself independently and with the same objective of restoring peace in the region. Further, just as you have decided to call upon the warring factions within Islam to reappraise the basic and original traits of the Islam at its birth, Hindu religious leadership also engage itself in similar exercise, with reference to its own scriptures the number, character and contents of which are debatable. – Dr. S.L.Dhani, IAS (Retd)

Naseem Ahmed

Dear Sultan Shahin,

Anyone who creates divisions in Islam, creates, supports and encourages sects is against the unity and oneness of Islam. It is the greatest disservice to Islam and your website and newsletters are precisely doing the same. Sorry to say this. This is in collusion with the enemies of Islam. May Allah enlighten you!

(Y. Ali) As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, thou hast no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah. He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did. 6:159 -- Naseem Ahmed

I have read Mr. M.K. Dhar's article ‘Hindu-Sikh Minorities in Pakistan: The Vanishing Communities’ on the condition of Hindu Sikh minorities in Pakistan. I am deeply troubled that minorities in Pakistan are treated so badly. This is against the very essence of Islam, as expressed in a number of Quranic Ayats. In particular : (2,256) Laaa Ikraha fid diin. There is no compulsion in religion.

(16,36) Wa laqad basna fii kulli ummatir rasuulan. We have sent among every people, a Prophet.

The Holy prophet never forced Islam on anyone, including His own beloved uncle, Abu Talib, who refused to recite the Kalama, even though he was very sympathetic to the new faith. Further Waraqa ibn Naufal, a mystic and a first cousin of Hazrat Khadija, told her, right after the first revelation, that her husband is the Prophet. Yet oddly he continued in his faith of Christianity, and refused to accept Islam. But no force was ever applied on him to change his faith. -- J S Bandukwala

I am into social communication and I would like to keep your readers within the loop of my communication circle. They have all the right to disagree with my views but they can still help me in my communication effort (by merely reading the full of it). People on our side of the globe underestimate the power of communication. May be, because apparently all cannot participate equally. But even if one just reads a book or a magazine or E-zine, and patronizes a communicator in some ways, one can be assumed to be participating in the communication process. -- Manzoorul Haque